Madrid: Pride of city with endless amazing eats.

Madrid!  One of my absolute favorite cities in the world.  I was worried that I would be letdown after finally coming back to this city ten years later.  Wow, the city is far cooler and far better than I remember.  Madrid is still and most definitely one of the my favorite cities in the world.

It's a true city and capital full of history and culture, and it's clean.  Madrid is so alive, so trendy and fashionable while not being arrogant or stiff.  There are newer barrios and neighborhoods that are walkable and full of life and food, too.

El Corte Ingles is a standard stop for some department store shopping, grocery shopping, and eating.  It is the biggest department store group in Europe, and it's the only remaining department store in Spain.  The Gran Via location has a great Gourmet Experience on the top floor with fantastic views of the city.  You can take it all in while enjoying a selection of tapas and cuisines from around the world.

Madrid is also a city to sample the Spanish classic: churros con chocolate.  Books and Internet research lead me to Chocolateria Valor and Chocolateria San Gines.  Valor is a big name chocolate brand in Spain.  Despite the name and reviews, I actually preferred San Gines.  It has a hype for attracting decades of celebrities and big names.  The churros were fresh and crispy and the chocolate had that right amount of sweetness and darkness.  The experience of eating churros con chocolate can be done at any time of the day.  Locals, though, are known to indulge in this sweet, fried goodness in the wee hours of the morning after a long night out.  In fact, Chocolateria San Gines' hours are 9:30am to 7:00am.  Madrileños know how to party and to live, and to eat.

Walking around Madrid 

The Roman Ruins of Tarragona

Back on the Iberian peninsula after a couple of nights on the beautiful island of Mallorca.  And back in our rental van ready for the next destination.  Barcelona to Valencia for a 350 km (217.5 miles) drive, but first a stop 100 km away in Tarragona.

Along the coastal drive, Tarragona holds one of the most significant Roman sites in the country.  The description in guidebooks say this it the stop to make to take in history.  The seaside facing amphitheatre is a bit underwhelming as it's located next to a primary school as though it's not a big deal.  But on a sunny say with blue skies, you can picture history with the Romans coming in by boat.  It is amazing to think about how this was built in the 1st and 2nd centuries, B.C.

Before getting back in the car for the last of the drive, about 2.5 hours to go, we took a break for merienda, or an afternoon snack.  We're in Spain, that means to have to have a mid-day break and eat.  We stopped at Spain's most known department store, El Corte Inglés.  Every El Corte throughout the country has a grocery in the basement and at least one restaurant on its top floors, which is perfect for a meal or snack.  The Tarragona El Corte restaurant served one of the best churros con chocolate of the trip - who would have thought it was going to be here in the department store of this town.

Roman ruins in Tarragona

A Tour of Lamanoc Island in Bohol

Aside from enjoying all that our resort had to offer, we were itching to go out and explore more of Bohol. Two years ago, we took a day trip around the island to the usual tourist destinations: the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers, the churches, a river cruise, and even a butterfly farm. This time around, we wanted something new and different.

That left us with a tour of Lamanoc Island. An hour's drive further eastward, a short walk down stone steps and along a bamboo bridge, and a brief boat ride to the island.

Lamanoc Island is full of history (with the native inhabitants and early Spanish explorers) and mysticism (with stories of ghosts and witches). The island itself is full of limestone formations rich with the island’s history and colorful past. The guide is an elderly man who shares many mystical tales with fact and with humor.

If you’ve experienced the usual postcard activities of Bohol, a trip out to Lamanoc Island is definitely worth the trip, especially if you stop by and take a break at the Beach Bar after your tour.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Bohol Day Trip

Street Eating around Kobe

The last of my Japan updates, and I'm ending it with an afternoon full of street eats in Kobe.  I went into Kobe only knowing about the beef and the sweets.  The few hours spent in the streets of the downtown were a pleasant surprise.  I learned more about Japan's past walking through the Memorial Park and their dedication and passion to rebuild their country.  They have that love of country, and it's reflective in Kobe - how the city has maintained its pristine order, it's so clean!

Their love of country is reflective in their standard for food.  You can find the highest quality of food in the most ordinary places - groceries, department stores, shopping arcades, and street vendors.  Some of my favorite snacks were the street eats in Kobe.  The savories and the sweets, one after the next.  Grilled mochi, kakuni burger (aka, pork belly buns), crab croquettes, gaufres, waffles, cake rolls, parfaits.  I haven't had that much sugar in one day in a long time.  It was all so worth it to taste those treats made just in Kobe.

My favorite part about traveling is discovering the local specialties, the pride of the city or town.  In Kobe, there are so many specialties to show off.  What a city!  It's definitely worth checking out if you enjoy food, and make sure your stomach is empty so you can fully enjoy every bite the city has to offer.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Kobe Street Eats

And that concludes my Japan trip! Hope you enjoyed my perspective of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. Until the next trip!

An Afternoon in Downtown Kobe

We're food tripping around Japan.  We've already re-visited Tokyo, and spent an afternoon and evening around downtown Osaka.  So what's next?

A 20-minute train ride to.. Kobe!  The land of beef, breads, baked goods, and sweets.

From the Kobe train station, we crossed a couple streets and headed to Kobe's shopping arcade full of local shops, restaurants, and cafes.  We didn't go here to shop for clothes, we came here to shop to fill our stomachs.  I definitely had a sugar rush all day from all the sweets I tasted.  What a great sugar rush, too.  There are so many sweets unique to Kobe.

Just parellel to the arcade street is the Chinatown.  I typically don't check out all the Chinatowns in the cities I visit, but this one is worth walking through.  It is the CLEANEST.  For me, that made it even more fun to frequently stop at the stalls and constantly nibble on all the local treats.  I wish every Chinatown was like this.

 More on the street eats at the end of the week..

Here are pictures of the journey to Kobe, the sights of the arcade, and Chinatown.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Kobe Day Trip - Arcade

Department Store Snacking in Osaka

Just like in Tokyo, one of our main attractions in Osaka was the department store food halls.  It's easy to think that the same branding of department stores will pretty much have the same kind of food halls.  Not at all!

In Osaka, the Daimaru and Mitsukoshi Isetan department stores seemed even bigger and better than some of the ones we just saw in Tokyo.  They have sweets and savories from Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto - a lot of goodies that we didn't see and taste in Tokyo.

In reading about Osaka, the city likes to be the "anti-Tokyo."  For example, in Tokyo you stand on the left side of the escalator, and over take on the right.  In Osaka, it's the complete opposite.  So it's easy to spot a visitor from Tokyo if you're in Osaka.  (And if you stand in the middle and block the way, it's obvious you're a tourist.)

With that spirit of rivalry and competition, Osaka's department store food halls really make an effort to compete on the same level as the best in Tokyo.

A little side story: After taking one of the pictures (of the Belgian beer) I was told that I was not allowed to take pictures because I tried to frame the picture of the beer with a little background.  In the department stores, the Japanese are seriously strict about the no picture policy.  I guess you have to go for yourselves to see all the amazingness I'm talking about..

Here are some pictures of the snacks I had at the food halls and some that I took home to enjoy.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Osaka Department Store Eats

Shinsaibashi & Dotonbori Sights in Osaka

In our Japan itinerary, we set aside an afternoon and night to explore downtown Osaka.  The main attractions for us were Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori streets.  If it's your first time in Osaka, this must be in your itinerary, too.

Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street is the famous shopping area in Osaka.  It's a roofed arcade that runs about a third of a mile (600 meters) long.  The covered arcade is a great way to familiarize yourself with Osaka's shopping and eating culture.  There are so many restaurants, cafes, and snack stops with Japanese, imported, and local-Osaka treats.


Further down the street is Dotonbori street - famous for local eats including okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes) and takoyaki (octopus-battered balls).  The street is filled with so many signs and lights.  It's best to go at night to enjoy it all.  Plus, there are so many side streets to pop into and get lost. It was fun to discover hidden gems of restaurants and bars filling these streets.

Here are pictures of sights along the walkway of Shinsaibashi and through Dotonbori and its side streets.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Osaka Arcade and Doutonburi Eats

Sweet & Savory Treats from Dial K for Kitchen

There are some childhood treats that you can't stop loving when you're already an adult. I'm talking about good ol' fashioned campfire (or fireplace or stovetop) s'mores. Graham crackers crunching over melting chocolate and flamed burnt chewy marshmallows. That's goodness.

Enter Dial K for Kitchen's Icebox S'mores. Frozen cubes of graham crackers, fudgy chocolate , and chewy marshmallow. A childhood treat twist!

And, for peanut butter fans (like myself) the Peanut Butter S'mores hit that peanut butter-chocolate spot on your palate. S'more just got even more fun!

The chicken liver is another absolute must-try. So smooth, so creamy, and so clean tasting.

This is so good slathered on bread or crackers. Or, even better, as the liver spread for banh mi sandwiches! These have been contributing to some of the highest quality Vietnamese sandwiches I've been indulging in all week. I'm happy to have a source for excellent pate now.

From the first bites, you can taste the talent behind the concept and the execution of their products. Equally, you taste the quality of the ingredients. I become an almost instant fan of anything with high quality ingredients.

The bites are indulgent, but as everything should be eaten in moderation, these delicious bites are so worth savoring. I can't wait to try more of their products.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Dial K for Kitchen

Thakali Eats in Kathmandu

I think it should be an absolute requirement to taste the local cuisine when you travel anywhere.

Our first and last meals in Kathmandu were local bites in the same restaurant near our hotel in the Thamel district. Thakali Chef's Bhanchha Ghar features roof top dining - a popular feature in restaurants in Kathmandu. It's a great way to enjoy a drink or meal while taking in the sights of the city. It's also a great escape from the chaos below.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Thakali Roof Top

Classic Taiwanese Desserts: Mango Ice

Taiwan is filled with signature desserts. One of the most iconic is Mango Ice. It's such a simple dessert that's worth paying for.

Shaved ice, fresh mangoes, and a special condensed milk. There are also varying toppings, including seasonal fruits, ice cream, mochi, beans, and mango jelly (which taste and feels almost exactly like real mangoes.

When it's hot outside, it's the perfect cooling dessert. When it's cold outside, it doesn't warm you up, but it still totally satisfies your sweet craving. It's so fresh and refreshing.

You must have mango ice when you visit Taiwan. You're missing out if you don't.

Here are a couple bowls of Mango Ice that was savored and quickly finished.
(Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.)

The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Mango Ice

Banana-Que: Caramelized Bananas on a Stick!

Banana-que is a common Filipino street food snack. Caramelized local plaintain bananas (saba) fried on a stick. It's great for breakfast, merienda (snack time), and dessert.

When they are freshly made, it's too easy to eat so many bananas in one sitting. Sweet bananas, caramelized with brown sugar.. Soo good.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Banana-Q

Summer Treats

Summer! For years that meant June through September of warm to hot weather and bright blue skies filling most of the days. For the second year in a row, these summer months I look forward to are now filled with monsoons, storms, and typhoons.

After two weeks straight of rain and gray clouds here in Manila, I was so excited to escape to the states for a two week trip. The two weeks were filled with the perfect summer weather.

And what's the best way to embrace the last days of summer? With ice cream, frozen yogurt and popsicles!!

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Summer Treats

Camera Shots

Camera phones are so convenient to use. To minimize the bulk in my purse, I sometimes prefer to just take my phone.

During my few weeks in the states, I had my camera phone next to me to take a few pictures of food related scenery and products.

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read more about the photos.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: iPhone Randoms.

Baos at Baohaus

Bao is a fluffy, steamed Chinese bun. It's a very popular dim sum and street food snack found around all over Asia. Each country has their own bao with their local fillings, usually a type of meat.

At Baohaus, traditional Taiwanese street food is brought to New York City. Because it's in New York City, it comes with that Manhattan price. But, it stands by it's quality of products and the generous heap of meat between the bun.

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read a little more about the photos.

Check out my Flickr album if you can't see the slideshow here.

Mmm, Doughnuts

One of my favorite childhood school treats are doughnuts. After altar serving weekday morning masses.. Celebrating grade school classmates birthdays.. A drive through the first Krispy Kreme in the area.. All great memories of a warm, soft, tender sweet doughnut. Homer Simpson really did say it best.

I love specialty food shops that focus on perfecting one thing. At Doughnut Plant, they do doughnuts really well. Their yeast doughnuts are so tender and chewy, and satisfying. If I didn't have to rush back uptown for Christmas Eve mass, I could have lined up again to eat a few more doughnuts.

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read a little more about each picture.

Check out my Flickr album if you can't see the slideshow here.

A Walk Back in Time in Xing Ping

After lunch, we arranged for a hotel car to drive us one hour north to the town of Xing Ping, which still has structures over 500 years old! And, the locals still live in this dwellings! We visited a fishing village, where Bill Clinton and his family visited in 1997. (Speaking of former President Clinton, it was his birthday yesterday and I found his birthday wish very inspiring.)

For the rest of the afternoon we enjoyed leisurely walking through Xing Ping amongst the tourists and locals alike.

Unfortunately, this slideshow doesn't appear on Google Buzz/Reader (Click here) or on iPhones (Adobe...Check back when you're at a laptop or desktop)

Mekong Delta Tour: Day One - Local Productions

Part of our tour included interactive field trips to local artisans and local living. On the first day, we stopped by 3 of the 4 islands in the Ben Tre Province: Tortoise Island, Unicorn Island, and Phoenix Island (The fourth island is called Dragon Island). On each island we tasted local treats and saw how they were all made with the most natural ingredients.

Coconut Candy
This one of the Ben Tre Province's most notable products, and it is made in just a few steps.
Grating the Coconut Meat

Producing Coconut Milk

Heating the Coconut Milk

Creating Fire with Coconut Shells

Simmering the Candy
60% Coconut Milk, 25% Sugar, 15% Malt

Fresh Coconut Candy

Molding to Wrapping
The candy is molded on this metal sheet which is lined with rice paper (the kind of rice paper from that Japanese sticky candy). It is then cut and wrapped.




Rice Paper
Another notable Vietnamese food item is their rice paper. It is typically eaten with entrees as a wrapper. Here at this food station, we learned it can also be flavored and eating like chips.
Grinding the Rice

Cooking the Rice Mixture

Forming the Rice Paper

Cooling the Rice Paper

Varieties of Flavors
Onion, Barbecue, and Plain

Packaging for Sale



Fresh Candied Ginger
At this small station, a lady was cooking fresh batches of ginger candy.

Fresh Candied Coconut
Another use of coconut.



Fresh Fruits
Pineapple, Dragon Fruit, Grape Fruit, Papaya, and Chico. While enjoying the songs of local folk singers, we were given plates of fresh fruits.

Lotus Tea

Honey and Tea
Bees products, such as this honey, are also produced in this area. We mixed it with our lotus tea.



Snake Wine
I love my alcohol...but not that much. These wines were enhanced with snakes, scorpions, etc. My imagination runs wild with what could happen to me if I drank a sip.

Coconut Wine
Nicely Presented in the Coconut. We tried a little sip, and, wow, it's pretty strong. I found it smoother than the Filipino Lambanog.

Another Filipino Treat

Aside from Duman, another one of my favorite Filipino treats (that can be stored in the freezer) is Puto. Puto is a steamed rice cake. From the freezer, I just simply pop it in the microwave for a minute, and then it's all ready. It's great with a little coat of butter or a thin slice of cheese.
Frozen Puto
Stored in Ziplocs. This can last for a loong time. Like ice, it's a staple item in my freezer. I eat a pair at least every other day.

Puto
Straight from the microwave. It's so nice and fluffy, tender, and chewy. Mmm!

Homemade Cheese Twists

Puff pastry baked with shaved cheddar cheese and bits of lomo (cured pork loin)